Is Putting Others First Making You Fat?

Is Putting Others First Making You Fat?
by Eli Davidson

A woman in her twenties pulled me aside after I finished a speech for a corporate client. Lizelle was newly married and was nervous that with her demanding job she wouldn’t have the energy to have a child. Wait a minute here. She’s 26 years old and she is so tired she doesn’t know if she can have a baby? Startled by her own misplaced values, she knew that she needed to examine her choices.

Is your life a blur of activity? Are you on auto pilot saying “yes” to anyone that asks for a favor? A schedule that has you running from sun up to sundown puts you in a pressure cooker. You are zapping your zest if you forget to build in some you-time everyday. Remember, you are the Mayor of You-ville as I tell my coaching clients. Within your skin you are the only person who chooses what goes on inside you.

I am a cheerleader for contribution. There is nothing more fulfilling than sharing the connection of loving between You-ville, Me-ville and Us-ville. But, you need to take care of yourself before you can help take care of others. Healthy intimacy is a mix of giving and receiving. Remember, there no brownie points for neglecting your needs. “No” is not a cuss word. Even to the people you cherish. Before you bake brownies for someone else, have you fixed dinner for yourself? And hey, while you’re baking those brownies, make sure you put some aside for yourself.

Fab Not Flab

If health won’t make you take a bit of time for yourself, maybe vanity will. Stress makes you fat. Dr. Pamela Peeke says “Your body reads stress as time to be on alert, so it leaps into action. Your hypothalamus alerts your pituitary gland to send an ACTH molecule to the adrenal glands that releases cortisol, and other damaging stress-driven hormones. Your adrenal glands produce epinephrine, which increases your blood pressure and blood rushes to your arms and legs. These small triangular glands sitting above your kidneys are the ones in charge of stress. They are so important that you have two . . . just in case one backfires. When you experience a stressor, your adrenal glands pump your body with adrenaline, which increases your blood pressure, increases water retention, sends oxygen and glucose to your brain, heart, and arms and legs, and cause a host of other changes known as the fight-or-flight response.
Years of chronic activation of your fight-or-flight response wears that great body of yours down. And if your body thinks your internal energy refrigerator is empty, it is going to want some food to fill it up. Pronto. Dr. Peeke says that trying to replenish your adrenal reserves triggers mood swings and overeating. If you aren’t including some comfort time, overeating may become your quick fix.

What is the antidote?

1. Give yourself a few more minutes of slumber. Studies are showing that less than 8 hours of sleep contributes to weight gain and a slew of other problems.

2. Take a few little breaks during the day. Set a timer on your computer or phone that reminds you to take a break.  (And then take that break.)

3. No…is not a cuss word. Practice saying no 3 times a day.

4. Agree to call a friend before you agree to take on any other projects.

5. By giving yourself healthy boundaries you lessen your need for emotional eating.
Be fabulous,
Eli

Power Moves

Power Moves
by Maureen Berkner Boyt

Issue 3, bullets of Chapter 3 - Power Moves

1. Keep an accomplishments list or portfolio of your work that you can easily access to remind yourself what you are capable of.


2. If you’re in a position to hire or select vendors, understand that qualified women may not be stepping up. Seek out women you believe are qualified and ask them to consider applying or pursuing the work. Sometimes a nudge is all it takes.


3. Change your mindset from ‘already performing’ to ‘able to grow into’ when looking at potential opportunities.


4. Take requirements as suggestions. Go for that big client, pursue the promotion, ask for the stretch assignment.


5. Catch yourself when you find yourself short-­‐changing your abilities and questioning your qualifications and change your internal dialogue to, “I’m ready and I’m qualified.” If that’s not enough, think of a person you know that you are most shocked to find out has been very successful (I have a few stoners I knew in high school I think about in these situations) and remind yourself that if they can do it, you sure as hell can, too. Do the same for other women if you hear them down-­‐playing their work or abilities.

WHAT IF?

WHAT IF?
 by Sharlene Jamison

Most unexpected events take place....of course when we don't expect it....
What if you are experiencing a divorce in your late 50’s and early 60’s
Do you have a plan in place? Will you be able to maintain your standard of living?
Are you prepared for life's WHAT IF moments?

Preparing a plan can prepare you for the possible pitfalls that may affect your livelihood, the way you enjoy living.

Sharlene Jamison, Financial Consultant, of the Meridian Financial Company can help you navigate your future...for the WHAT IF in life.

Scenario:

STARTING ALL OVER IN THEIR PRIME YEARS

Maryann and Bobby are experiencing a divorce after thirty-five years of marriage.
Maryann never dreamed that she would be starting all over at age 57 after being married for 35 years to her husband Bobby age 59. They both decided to go their separate ways due to irreconcilable differences. They’re both seeking a new love, retirement strategy and wondering how to pick up the pieces in their lives without each other.

Maryann is a school teacher who planned to retire in two years, prior to this unexpected life event.  Bobby is a self employed carpenter, who has never contributed to a retirement plan, due to infrequent business dealings and no concerns for his financial future.

The couple never had children or owned property. They’ve been renting their apartment for years. Bobby maintained the up keep of their residence while looking for odd jobs to use his carpentry skills. They never purchased their own home due the lack of income Bobby brought in from his side jobs. They mainly lived on MaryAnn’s income over the years.  Bobby’s inconsistent income was considered bonus money for the couple who traveled occasionally during summer months.

The cost for the divorce proceedings placed Maryann in a position where she was forced to borrow against her 403B retirement fund to pay the attorney fees. They didn’t have a large savings account. MaryAnn soon to be ex-husband Bobby didn’t come to agreeable divorce terms. Even though there are no marital assets to split other than her 403B retirement account and her possible obligation to pay alimony to Bobby.

CONCERNS:

The ’WHAT IF’ has taken place in Maryann and Bobby’s world in their latter earning years!
Maryann plans to retire in two years has been disturbed…..
The ‘IF’ in life has taken place.

Can MaryAnn and Bobby get on track with their separate lives?

Will they be able to live apart with the reduced retirement account that has been split amongst both of them?
Will they outlive their financial resources? Do they have alternatives?
Can they find a solution to their problem to pick-up the pieces of their lives? Will they be able to retire?

The WHAT IF has taken place in their lives? WHAT IF this happened to you...After all IF is the center of LIFE.

Sharlene Jamison, Financial Consultant, can help you navigate your future...for the WHAT IF in life, She offers securities through Cadaret Grant & Co, Member FINRA/SIPC, and is affiliated with The Meridian Financial Company,
The Meridian Financial Company
"Navigating The Future"
90 Lawrence Ave, Smithtown, NY, 11787
T-631-656-8198 - C- 917-670-5994
www.sharlenejamison.com
sjamison@ae.cadaretgrant.com

Sharlene Jamison

Nonprofit Board Participation & Your Personal Brand by Karen Perry Weinstat

Nonprofit Board Participation & Your Personal Brand
by Karen Perry Weinstat

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, once said “Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” That was his definition of personal branding: it’s how people perceive you. As with most things in life, it’s up to you to choose whether or not to take the bull by the horns and turn it in a direction to take you where you want to go.

The first step in this process is to define where that is.  Give some thought to who you really are – deep inside.  What do you stand for?  Care about?  What makes you unique?

Second, determine or clarify what you wish to achieve.  Strong family relationships?  Career success? Contributing to the greater good? Having a great social life?  Big or small, your wishes are your own.  There is no “right” or “wrong.”

Finally, the third step is to take action: position yourself realize your goals.  Engage in activities that show your intentions.  Remember – action speaks louder than words.  When you act with purpose, you create your path… Move forward with the end goal in mind.

There are many opportunities for purposeful action.  Nonprofits, in particular, offer many outlets to volunteer, and thus, do something useful while cultivating your brand.  These organizations intentionally recruit individuals with high level skills and a commitment to help guide their activities.

As you contribute, remember the first step in your self-branding process – determining who you really are.   When you surround yourself with like-minded people and take on a role to help move forward an important social cause or community service, your values and unique qualities are showcased.

You live your brand.  What do people say or think about you when you leave the room?  Responsible participation on a nonprofit board generates comments like:  “She is a great leader.”  “He helped us raise the funds we need to accomplish ….” “He is so committed!”  “She’s the type of (lawyer, banker, marketer, etc.) I’d hire.”  “I’d really like to get to know him/her better!”

That’s the kind of buzz that propels you forward.  Your personal brand is clear.  And your path to your goals is wide open, as well.

7 Collateral Marketing Items Every Small Business Needs

7 Collateral Marketing Items Every Small Business Needs
by Jacqueline Lawson

A lot of preparation time goes into a trip to a conference or trade show: business cards, check; brochures, check; updated bios, check; and more. Even a local networking event requires taking stock of your marketing collateral.  It is important that you give the best first impression; because, as the saying goes, the first impression is the lasting impression.

Additionally, there may come a time that you have to communicate information about your company to lots of different people, including employees, investors, existing and potential clients and the media. The success level of your company may depend in part upon how well you present that information.  Which is why it is important to have, current, accurate and fresh marketing collateral that best represents your company.

Every business should always have the following seven items on hand, ready to distribute either as hard copy handouts, or electronic copies.

1. Company fact sheet. Potential investors or employees, analysts and media people should be able to learn important facts about your business with a quick look at your fact sheet. A company fact sheet should include the following information:

• Date the company was founded
• Where it is headquartered and has affiliate offices
• Names and brief backgrounds of founders and upper-level management
• Contact information
• Brief mission statement

Download a Product Fact Sheet Template

2. Product fact sheets. Keep a fact sheet on file for each of your products or services. A product fact sheet should include the following:

• The product's function
• Distinctive features
• Comparison to similar products on the market
• Quality level
• Reliability
• Cost

Download a Company  Fact Sheet Template

3. Bios on founders and senior management. Make sure you have a bio on hand for each founding member of the company, every senior manager and each member of the board of directors. Bios should include the person's education, relevant experience, awards or honors, and publications that featured the team member or the team member's work.

Read How to Create a Bio

4. Mission statement. A mission statement can motivate and direct employees, subcontractors, and give new hires an idea of how your company works. You can also show the statement to potential investors, lenders or members of the media.

Read the Essentials for a Good Mission Statement

5. Company background. Whereas the company fact sheet essentially is just that--a list of facts--this document is written in paragraph form and should include more detail.

Company Profile Template

7. Press kit. When you open your business or launch a new product, consider sending out a press kit. Press kits also can come in handy if you decide to pitch your business at a trade show. Your kit should include the following elements:

• Folder with your company's logo
• Personalized letter pitching your company, product or service
• Company fact sheet
• Product fact sheet
• Press release
• Articles written about your company
• Business card
• Company background

Keeping an electronic copy saves from having to pay re-printing costs as company information changes.
Press Kit Template

8. Clip file.  Get into the habit of collecting and maintaining any articles written about your and your company, interviews, business profiles, and images you or someone else has taken at events.

Note: If you are thinking about mounting a PR blitz, here is a free Press Release service that has social media and monitoring tools.

For sending FREE Press Releases.

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Jacqueline Lawson is an African American expert, speaker and consultant for leveraging technology related to online collaboration tools, Samsung Galaxy, iPad, iPhone, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, business branding, web site and mobile application development.

Personal Media Consultant
Jacqueline Lawson
www.hotandmobile.com

jacquelie@hotandmobile.com
503.403.9157

twitter.com/hotandmobile
facebook.com/hotandmobile

How to Prepare for an Interview

How to Prepare for an Interview
by Nancy Molloy

To make the best impression possible – and to reduce your own stress – research the company, the people you will be meeting and the job before your first interview. Knowing about the company will make you seem more interested in the job and increase your confidence. Use the company’s website and Google the company, hiring manager or any other topic likely to come up, based upon the job description.

Find out as much information as you can about the interviewer via the internet or LinkedIn. If you are meeting with human resources, you may anticipate questions about your career history to date, and other more general questions as to how and why you are at the crossroads you are.  If you are meeting with the hiring manager, the interview questions are likely to be more technical in nature and more process oriented.  To that end, you might quantify your successes as results will matter to the hiring manager. 

Thoroughly review the job description to ensure that you understand the qualifications and skills you will need to be successful on the job. Ask questions such as why the position is open and what the short and/or long-term goals of the position may be. This allows the hiring manager to speak towards results and provide insight as to her/his needs. Once you understand how you and the job fit into the plan, then you can talk about how your past experiences can help you to contribute to those goals.

Be authentic, and speak only about what you know.  It is okay to say, "I do not know but can research that and get back to you."  Then pause.  Please to not talk if you have nothing to add.  Some of us get nervous and even uncomfortable during silences in interviews.  It takes time to digest the conversation so hit pause and let the interviewer lead the interview.  Be sure to make eye contact and smile when appropriate, this will make you and the interviewer more at ease.

Dress for the occasion.  Be polite to everyone you encounter including the receptionist.  After the interview, write a good old-fashioned hand written thank you note; an email may work just the same, oh well.

Stay tuned to Gayle's List, Women to Be Heard, as next month I will write about how to follow up after the interview.